Monday, November 29, 2010

My New Ornaments/ Snowmen

Everyone should know me by now, that I thrive on trying to needle felt on different forms.  Well awhile back I had purchased glass ornament balls to decorate.  In packing and cleaning things out to move into our new house, I found them.  A light bulb went off, or as Uncle Harvey would say I zapped with lightening. 
I decided what fun it would be to needle felt on them.  So I decided to start with Snowmen and Ladie's. 

This ball is 1.5" in diameter/ I added sparkle inside

I set the glass ball in my small vise.  My next step was I had to glue a piece of wool to the top, or it wouldn't have stayed in place.

Wool glued to top

After drying I began to felt, I then felted the rest of my Snowman or should I say Snow Lady "Miss Bea" in a very soft Merino. 

"Miss Bea" the Snow Lady She looks a little like a duck here, and boy she did not like me saying that to her.  So I quickly kept working and shaping until I was satisfied with her.

"Miss Bea"
She looks so cuddley and soft, now I dyed the purple with food dyes and Kool aide.  My 4 year old named her and of course help with the purple dying.

Well, Bea got my mind a moving, so I have made a couple of other little snowmen and they will be going up for sale with a few others, They just come to life and each have their own personality.    So I thought I would give you all a peek of my snowmwen.

Meet Pete, Bea and Toby

I took this pic this afternoon outside when it first started to snow here in Minnesota, can't complain our first storm so far this season!

Those 3 just loved the snow and tried to get Franklin the Turkey out to play , but he said no way. 

Pete showing his pipe


Mr. Toby 

Now I tried and tried to get rid of the extra pic of Pete but I just can't, it took my blog once then he was inside some of my other pic's.  So I  just left him alone, what a character, he really likes being in the lime light!

All three of these guys and some more friends this week will be listed on Ebay for sale.  I will let you all know when, I was hoping for today, but I have a sick little girl so she comes first.  So hopefully tomorrow, cause these guys are just a itching for an winter adventure.   Thanks again for stopping by everyone Take care until next time..............................

Franklin and Fred's New Friend

A couple of weeks ago my oldest daughter brought over a boy named Stanley(shhhh he is made of paper).  He was a project for a friend of her's son and he had to go traveling.  Well Amy thought cool Mom and Dad are getting the new house put in and she brought our grandson's over to watch, so along came Stanley.   Our 3 little guys thought he was just great.   So I then thought boy Fred loves to talk and Franklin will do just about anything right now so I had those 2 guys show him around and explained to him about the house, being set on the basement. Fred just sat and told Stanely tons of tall fishing stories, and the only thing Franklin could keep saying was I have been pardoned!!!!!! They then all decided that it would be cool to be friends forever, The 3 of them were so glad they had met, because friends do come in all shapes and sizes.  Stanley even got to spend the night, but had to leave the next morning after breakfast, before he returned home he had a few more stops to make.  
I thought this was a great project that a teacher had put together for her class, I am not sure what school Stanley was from or what Town, but it didn't matter my 3 little guys  and my 2 grandsons were having a great time with him, on where could Stanley go, what would he or could he do.   I will tell you all a little secret all of us adults were laughing, giggling and really having fun with Stanley too. Stanley really brought this family together for laughs, so Stanley Thank you.   My rocks also just just thought he really rocked!!!!!!  

Stanley with Franklin and Fred
  

Monday, November 15, 2010

Meet Mr. Franklin Rock-Turkey

Here is my very first Rock Turkey and also my very first attempt at making a Double Rock Character.  Franklin was so much fun to make, here is a pic of him finished.  Now I have been told he looks like he has attitude.  Well let me tell you, he DOES!  I am not sure if that came from me pulling his head off many times to try to get it placed right, or redoing his beak, so it would open and close. 

Mr. Franklin Rock-Turkey

Ok, now that you see him, see his attitude!  Oh ya its there.  He found out last night he is going to be a guest at our daughter's house for Thanksgiving, he is so honored to be part of the centerpiece,and get a full pardon.  It has gone to his rock hard head.


Franklin's Body
Now his body was needle felted to this rock, this happenes to be an average rock,nothing special to it, but to us it is.  This rock was 1 of the many thousand that were delivered to our place for our new basement that were placed under the floor.  So the kids and I went down in the hole and picked out a few rocks for me to felt on. 


Franklin Neck and Head Rock


Franklin and his neck with head Rock

Ok, I have been asked how did I get his head rock attached, well I first of all took one of my many egg's that Kay Petal from Felt Alive (www.feltalive.com) has you make for legs (in her videos) and I have alot of egg's in my food baggie to spare. That is also what I used for his legs and then built up from there.   I then attached that to the top of his body,I then  found a smaller rock,with a good flat side and this one I felt had a bit of a beak shape to it.  I then took wool and wrapped it to the bigger piece to attach both pieces, slowly and not to thick.

                                                                    Franklin

Here he is, with all his rocks attached.  He stands 5.5 inches tall.  The pic's make him look quite a bit bigger,I just love those close ups, but then again my little people just love to have their pic's taken.  Look he is actually smiling here!  He was so happy here I was done pulling his head off and on.

Franklin was done with a new wool that I purchased from Patti at Dream Felt (http://www.dreamfelt.com/) I just love her wool.  I feel this Chestnut brown really helped bring him to life.  Now the back tail I dyed merino wool roving with food dyes. 
The needles I used to felt him with, were some new ones I purchased from Kay Petal at (http://www.feltalive.com/).  They are her Super Duper Double Needles.  They are the best for needling on my rocks, can't wait to try them on an insulator.  I DID NOT BREAK A SINGLE NEEDLE, felting Franklin!!!!!!  Now that was a first.  My rocks and I just love them.


Side View Franklin
Here he is, just enjoying the fall temp.'s and the afternoon breeze,he is so relaxed, knowing he will be here to meet  Santa Claus.  What a Life.

I do love this picture, a lot of  day-dreaming could go on here.

I am going to try to blog later this week on our new home we are in the process of getting done, it has just been a very busy time for us here, but so much fun. 
Please let me know what you all think of Mr. Franklin Rock-Turkey! 

To Everyone  Happy  GOBBLE, GOBBLE or as I was so reminded Franklin  says, COBBLE, COBBLE!  (you know Cobble Stone).   I love it.
Take Care until next time.......................